Got in a walk/jog this morning and then had mom, sister and SIL over for lunch -- we put together the big saran wrap ball that is unwrapped on Christmas Day. It's good sized and should take about an hour to get through.
About 11 this morning, we heard a BOOM so loud that the windows shook. It sounded like something exploded close by. Went outside and all the neighbors were also coming outside and looking around confused. They are saying it was a Boeing jet being tested somewhere around western Illinois.

Got a walk/jog in today --- it was in the 20s but felt good to be out in the sunshine.

My mom, sister, SIL and I had reservations for lunch at a new restaurant in Petersburg. It's in a historic building that the owners have been renovating for over a year, and it looks amazing. There was a soft opening a couple of weeks ago that went well, and reviews are all 5 stars. An hour before our reservation we got an email (reservations are made online through their proprietary system) that they were sorry but were cancelling people's reservations. Guess they were overwhelmed and had some staff walk out. Ugh...we'll give them a few weeks and try again when the newness has worn off.

Went to a holiday lunch with Steve's former department --- it was really nice. In true retiree fashion, we were the first to show up, along with three other retirees. Got caught up with some former coworkers from the highways department. This was at one of those steakhouses with a huge grill where you can cook your own steak. We were able to get swordfish and it was amazing.

Wrapped some presents and figured out there a few additional small gifts I would like to pick up, but otherwise I'm in good shape as far as gifts.

Had to stop by the "old office" to drop something off. It was the first time I've been back since I retired a year ago. Some of my coworkers were there so it was great to see them and catch up.

Lunch at Mom's and then we went to dinner with some cycling friends at a local pub where the special was half-price horseshoes. Horseshoes are a Springfield, IL specialty that started at (I think) the Leland Hotel back in the 1920's. It's a piece of toast, topped with your choice of meat (traditionally a hamburger patty but I went for turkey), then topped with french fries. Then a cheese sauce is poured over this. The sauce is what differentiates one restaurant from another, this was more of a white cheese and milder. I really liked it but man, is it a heavy meal and very unhealthy.

Driving home from the restaurant was scary--- it's super windy here and very warm, perfect tornado conditions. I don't think that materialized but there were wind gusts over 50 mph.